An everyday history of Upstate South Carolina from 1991 - 1995
1991 S.C. Boost in World Trade
The Cold War seems to be thawing for the Port of Charleston and therefore the State of South Carolina. A profitable boost in international trade will be the result.
Because of its geographical position and salubrious climate, the Charleston area logically is home for major Navy and Air Force bases. This good fortune also has required military security measures.
The Bush administration announced a week ago that ships from recently freed countries of Eastern Europe once again will be welcome.
This is a boon for the Holy City, of course, but likewise one of much economic significance in the Upstate. In truth, much of the commerce that passes through state ports at Charleston, Georgetown and Port Royal is generated from industries in the upper-tier corridor stretching along the northern border of South Carolina.
The flags of Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania soon will be seen on vessels sailing into and out of the state’s major port and 11 ports with a large Navy presence in other states.
Indeed, the Charleston newspaper reported that ships from the emerging democracies of Eastern Europe had sought permission to enter the harbor but were barred by the U.S. Coast Guard. The maritime ban sill applies to Russia, Cuba and seven other nations. If the barriers of the Cold War keep falling, beneficial trade relations will develop with others, too.
One of the vessels turned away from Charleston belonged to the Polish Ocean Lines, which the News and Courier says is one of the world’s major carriers. It recently began service through the port of Savannah. Soon, presumably, the firm will have the opportunity to use its port of choice.
The Palmetto State’s two U.S. senators apparently were instrumental in the White House’s decision. This change in federal policy will be of much benefit to foreign countries, but its economic returns will get right down to the local level in the Upstate, as well.
Source
Associated Press Writer. (1991, May 14). S.C. Boost in World Trade. Herald-Journal , pp. A-8.
High Radon Levels Found in Wells
Clemson University researchers say high concentrations of radon gas have been found in wells across South Carolina, and the levels exceed safe limits expected to be proposed this week.
Department of Health and Environmental Control officials have tested public water supply wells statewide for radon. Another 100 wells will be sampled in the next two months. University graduate students have tested 120 private wells in the Upstate.
Some of the tests have turned up concentrations far above the level that federal Environmental Protection Agency is expected to propose on public water supplies nationwide, sad Matt Haapala, a radiological engineer at Clemson.
The EPA has recommended safe air radon levels to be 4 picocuries per liter of air. Higher levels are thought to contribute significantly to the development of lung cancer.
Source
Associated Writers Press. (1991, June 14). High Radon Levels Found in Wells. The Morning Star , pp. 8-B.
19 Students Injured in 2 School Bus Crashes
A total of 19 children received minor injuries in two separate school bus accidents in the Upstate on Tuesday.
A Cherokee County school bus carrying 15 students flipped on its side while trying to make a left turn on Round Tree Road Tuesday afternoon. Thirteen students were taken to Upstate Carolina Medical Center. Hospital spokeswoman Nancy Atkins said she expected all thirteen to be treated and released by Tuesday night.
Six students from Whitlock Junior High School were treated and released from Spartanburg Regional Medical Center after a car driven by a 77-year-old woman rammed the back of a school bus when it stopped to unload.
The bus, which was carrying 21 students at the time, had stopped at the corner of Archer and Cordova roads about 3:30 p.m. to unload a student when it was struck by a 1987 Oldsmobile driven by Margaret Pearson of Greer, said S.C. Highway Patrol Trooper R.F. Dye.
Ms. Pearson and a passenger in her car, Gertie Watt,75, of Spartanburg, also were treated and released from Spartanburg Regional.
Source
Stahl, M., & Grant, T. (1991, September 24). 19 Students Injured in 2 School Bus Crashes. Herald-Journal , pp. A-1.
Fuel Leaking to Creeks in Upstate S.C.
A leak in an oil pipeline has caused more than 400,000 gallons of fuel to be dumped into creeks feeding the Enoree River in the Upstate, officials said Friday.
Thom Berry, spokesman for the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, said a 36-inch line from Colonial Pipeline Co. in Spartanburg broke Thursday night. The Lind carried number two fuel oil that is used as diesel and home heating fuel.
“Our main concern is the drinking water supply,” Berry said. “There are two towns that use water from the Enroee River that are close by – Clinton and Whitmire. Those towns have been notified and they are making arrangements for alternative sources of drinking water.”
Workers from DHEC and Colonial were working to contain the fuel oil Friday. Colonial has called in crews from North Carolina and Georgia to help in the efforts, Berry said.
The cause of the spill has not been determined, Berry said. But he said it could be weeks before all the oil is removed from the water and any contamination cleaned up along the shorelines. “We just want to make sure it is done right,” he said.
The pipeline is one of two that carries petroleum products from Texas to New York. The other line is a 40-inch pipeline that carries gasoline. “That line is secure,” Berry said. Source
The Associated Press. (1991, December 21). Fuel Leaking to Creeks in Upstate S.C. The Times-News , p. 5. 1992
BMW – Might Come to the Upstate
Anderson County is competing with Nebraska and two other states for a billion-dollar BMW automobile assembly plant, a newspaper reported today.
The Greenville News is quoting unidentified sources as saying a decision is due soon and the Anderson County and Nebraska are the front runners among four states. The sources declined to identify the other two states.
Protests over one potential site at Clemson University’s Simpson Agricultural Station threaten to discourage or complicate a possible Anderson County site selection, the newspaper’s sources said.
The newspaper said the plant would bring a minimum of 1,000 to 3,000 relatively high-wage jobs. Eventually, direct and indirect employment from the plant could generate up to 17,000 jobs in support and service industries and facilities located nearby to serve it. Source
The Associated Press. (1992, February 5). BMW Plant Might Come to Upstate. The Times-News , p. 5B.
Mutant Tuberculosis Strain Prompts Fears
A mutant tuberculosis strain creeping across the nation has health officials concerned, including those in the Upstate, where the traditional TB strain appears to be on the increase.
Average TB cases are cured in about nine months, but the mutant form of TB, called “multi-drug tuberculosis,” is stronger and does not respond to the usual methods, health officials say.
Spartanburg County is now at a five-year high for tuberculosis cases, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. The county recorded 26 TB cases in January, 31 in February, and 31 in March. The county had a total of 19 tuberculosis cases in 1987. Health officials said the numbers are cause for concern, but not panic.
Health care workers are carefully monitoring TB trends because of the new, irregular strain. “What we have are some people that could become infected by not just tuberculosis, but a resistant strain of the disease,” said Dr. Arnold Denler with the Appalachia III Health District.
Denler attributes the newer form of TB to patients who did not complete their treatments. “A major reason a patient becomes resistant is because they fail to take their medication as instructed. If they take it as outlined there would be no problem,” he said. Source
NYT Regional Newspapers. (1992, May 28). Mutant Tuberculosis Strain Prompts Fears. The Times-News , pp. 10-A.
BMW To Make Plant Plans Official
The eyes of the world are on Spartanburg County today as BMW reveals its long-awaited plans to build cars in South Carolina.
Top executives of the German luxury car manufacturer, who began arriving in the Upstate Monday, will hold a news conference at the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport at 7:30 a.m. As a part of that event, BMW Chairman Eberhard von Kuenheim will discuss the company’s plans via video from his office in Munich. Kuenheim is staying in Germany to address European reporters one-half hours later. At 12:30 p.m. Gov. Carroll Campbell will brief reporters on his two-year courtship with BMW.
Among the BMW officials who will appear at the news conference are Karl Gerlinger, president of BMW of North America; Bernd Pischetsrieder, the company’s top manufacturing manager in Germany; and Helmut Panke, director of corporate planning for the BMW group. Source
NYT Regional Newspapers. (1992, June 23). BMW To Make Plant Plans Official. The Times-News , pp. 1-A.
S.C. Baby Boom Could Cost Schools
South Carolina officials estimate taxpayers will have to boost education spending by as much as $700 million before 2000 to accommodate baby boomers and those migrating to the state.
Local school districts still may have to raise more through property taxes to pay for additional classrooms. “The state has got to face up to some hard choices,” said William Gillespie, chief economist for the state Board of Economic Advisers, which presented the estimates to the State Budget and Control Board.
Much of the enrollment growth will be brought by an increase in the number of children born in South Carolina. Beginning in 1986, the state birth rate began climbing. By 1990, it equaled the number of children born during the last years of the post World War II baby boom – more than 58,000. In addition, an extra 2,500 new public school students move into South Carolina each year.
By 1994, the state Department of Education will present a comprehension statewide plan for school construction and maintenance. But a building program must proceed carefully. As quickly as it appeared, the baby boom of the 90’s could vanish. Source
The Associated Press. (1992, November 16). SC Baby Boom Could Cost Schools. The
Item , pp. 1-A.
McGee COLUMBIAuIt's killing me to write this column, because I have to spend the next 550 words saying some nice things about Mike McGee.
As director of athletics here at South Carolina since 1993, McGee is perhaps the most successful leader this program has ever seen. During the last decade he has lifted the competitive level of USC sports and the spirits of Gamecock fans everywhere.
Not only did he hire Lou Holtz to resurrect the school's flagging football program, he brought Ray Tanner in to do the same thing for baseball and keeps improving the basketball fortunes as well.
Further proof of that success story could be seen here Friday night in the new Carolina Center as the basketball largest crowd in the history of the state (17,712) watched the South Carolina women's team beat Clemson, 72-58.
In a word, the place is beautiful. After more than three decades in the old coliseum, the Gamecock basketball teams will now play in this new $64 million facility that has winner written all over it.
A state-of-the-art facility anchoring the west side of campus and nestled next to the city's expanding restaurant region known as the Vista, this 18,000-seat basketball arena is more than just a building, it's a statement.
COY AND SNIDE
But the man behind all this is not exactly beloved, except by himself and those who don't really know him.
Since recommending himself for the job, he has earned a reputation as one who manages by intimidation and views the rest of the world with a rather arrogant, condescending attitude.
I have often considered him to have dual personalities, one is coy and the other is snide. So it's safe to say we're not close.
That said, it's hard to argue with his accomplishments since taking over an athletic department that was in shambles before his arrival.
Even though his lowest moment may have been when former Georgia Tech coach and USC alum Bobby Cremins did an abrupt about face about coming here as coach of the Gamecocks, McGee rebounded artfully and brought in Eddie Fogler, a man he would later fire.
He also hired Brad Scott away from Florida State, only to fire him when the Gamecocks didn't progress to his satisfaction. Thus he is known for his highs as well as his lows.
Those who aim high, however, often have spectacular falls. But at least they have the guts to go for it.
CROWN JEWEL
On opening night, this large crowd got a good look at this new monument McGee has built and they had to be completely impressed.
This arena is open and airy with wide public spaces that highlight past glories in Gamecock history. With its double-deck design, multimillion-dollar scoreboard and video screens, luxury suites and all the latest accouterments, it is rightly being dubbed as the Crown Jewel of the Midlands.
It will not only allow the school to sell more season tickets, it will attract better players which will put even more people in the seats.
At least that's the plan.
McGee, despite his imperfections, is a good businessman who is not afraid to dream big. And if he figures out how to fill this monstrous building with fans on a regular basis, he'll probably erect a statue of himself and find a way to have the place named for him.
SOURCE
"New arena a monument to McGee." Post and Courier [Charleston, SC] 23 Nov. 2002: C1. Custom Newspapers (InfoTrac-Gale). Web. 26 Apr. 2010.
MAN ARRESTED IN SOUTH CAROLINA A state appeals court today ruled that a South Carolina man sentenced in 1994 to life in prison for murdering an equipment salesman in Madison can further appeal his conviction.
James F. Karls, 51, was convicted in connection with hiring someone to kill Randall Walsh on June 7, 1991, in a dispute Karls had with Walsh over an airplane and money Karls believed Walsh owed him.
Karls was arrested in South Carolina in November 1991 and extradited to Wisconsin. After being bound over for trial, he posted cash and property bail of $225,000 and fled to Costa Rica. He was later extradited to Wisconsin and was convicted of being a party to first-degree intentional homicide.
Karls fired three court-appointed and one private attorney appealing his extradition from Costa Rica and homicide conviction. Although Karls never waived his right to an appeals attorney, he ended up representing himself at least once in post-conviction hearings held in 1998.
``I have never waived that right to an attorney, and I never had an open court hearing to evaluate if I can do law, and I got an eighth-grade education. I know I can't do law,'' he said later.
The Court of Appeals ruled that the trial court did not conduct the proper questioning of Karls to determine if he was dismissing his attorneys in order to delay proceedings against him.
The appeals court also admits it erred when it allowed one of Karls' attorneys to withdraw from the case and then denied Karls' motion to appoint a replacement without determining whether Karls' constitutional rights to counsel were met.
The appeals court requests the state Public Defenders Office to appoint a fifth appeals attorney for Karls and file further postconviction motions by Aug. 1.
SOURCE
Murphy, Kevin. "MORE APPEALS OK'D IN AREA MURDER CASE." Capital Times [Madison, WI] 25 Mar. 1999: 8A. Custom Newspapers (InfoTrac-Gale). Web. 26 Apr. 2010.
1993
Grants for Educations
COLUMBIA- In an effort to increase the math and science program in upstate public schools, South Carolina received a $9.7 million grant from the National Science Foundation. This grant will be put toward linking public schools to state universities and technical schools. Public schools will have connections to lab equipment that would normally not be attainable by public schools. The program developed from the grant will set up 13 regional centers all across the state. Each center will be set up for the needs of the area and will have a mathematics and science advisory board, a committee of teachers, and university leaders that will oversee the centers. Each center will have teachers in math and science to be elected as experts to help out students and to train other teachers in the area.
Associated press. “SC gets $9.7 million grant for education”. Herald-Journal. May 16,1993. B1. Lost Pet
GAFFNEY- 911 was called after some local residence of Cherokee County witnessed a 6-foot long alligator. The likely former pet now resides in a small pond on a farm. The SC Wildlife and Marine Resources Department kept tabs on the alligator from the time it was discovered. The alligator was checked on periodically and was eventually sent to Santee Cooper.
“6-foot alligator settles in pond”. Star News. May 30,1993. 3B Hay! It is hot out here
The heat wave in the summer of 1993 brought many troubles to the upstate and the drought just added insult to injury. The extensive heat and drought left fields brown and killed the food source for local cattle ranches. With no grass to feed on the ranchers turned to hay to feed the cattle. However when the huge demand for hay outweighed the supply, the upstate had to look elsewhere. Dick Spears Hay Co. of Manchester Tenn. Generously supplied the Greenville Farmers market with 600 bales of hay. The hay was sold at $160 a ton, $50 more than normal, because of travel costs. This delivery helped but was just a drop of water in a dry lake bed. The drought also effected farmer’s feed cord production. All of this turned 1993 to be a hard summer for ranchers.
Associated Press. “Hay being Rushed to SC Farmers”. Herald-Journal. Jul 28,1993. A12 Drive-thru cash
GREER- On September 13th a NC man visited the upstate with malicious intentions. Lonie William Crisp, 37, robbed banks in Greer and Grenville. Police say that he was violating his patrol at the time. Crisp’s method is peculiar however. With the spirit of America he did not run into the bank and yell “This is a stick up!” Crisp wrote that on a note and passed it through the drive-thru. As if America isn’t lazy enough. The robber informed the teller that no one would be hurt if his demands were met. The man was arrested 4 days later when Crisp tried to used a “marked bill.”
Wood, Mark. “Man arrested for robbing 2 upstate banks from car”. Herald-Journal. Sep 22, 1993. B1.
1994 Dark and Cold
Feb 11th was a cold day of rain that just got colder as night fell. The ice throughout the day and night began to build up on trees and power lines. The morning of Feb 12th Upstate residence woke up to a cold and dark morning. Some 80,000 homes lost power when the upstate was covered in immense ice. Ice on the power lines and falling trees caused power lines to fail in many places. Power was not the only thing to suffer either. Student were forced to stay home when roads seemed to icy to drive. Some braved the weather, luckily there were not any major accidents or fatalities but there were numerous minor accidents across the upstate.
Associated Press. “Thousands without power”. The Times News. Feb 12, 1994. 14A. The Church is Calling
Pastor Roger Sowder took a different approach to church planting. Before he even had his first church service the pastor was trying to build his congregation. He got some volunteers together and made almost 12,000 phone calls. He believed that if businesses could use telemarketing then why not the church. His philosophy was to make the church body then bring them together. Though this approach seemed strange he received and interest of about 600 people, a pretty good start for a new church. Now the Foothills community Church is still going strong.
Dean, Suellen. “Pastor targeting unchurched”. Herald-Journal. Feb 20, 1994. A1. Rock Climbing gets to new Heights
1994 marked a time in upstate history when people started to venture out into the mountains and found that the, once thought extreme, sport of rock climbing was conquerable. Make no mistake rock climbing can be an intense physical am mental challenge, but not all rock faces are so challenging. With the development of the Upstate Climbing club many average people were seeking out the thrill of the climb and visiting some of the best spots SC’s wilderness has to offer. The city of Greenville began to sponsor indoor climbing gyms and six-lesson courses that were open to the public. Membership to the gym was $15 a year with a $2 a visit fee. Non members could pay $4 a visit fee to climb whenever they wanted.
Schultz, Steven. “Rock climbers take sport to new heights”. Herald-Journal. May 29, 1994. 11. The Rebel Flag becomes a Problem
Hairs begin to raise as the attention of all of SC began to focus on the capital building in Columbia SC. The rebel flag atop the capital building marks as a reminder of past soldiers who served SC in the civil war. Now the symbol stands for racial segregations and the people of the upstate call for a change. This issues began in 1994 and wouldn’t be resolved until 200.
Associated Press. “SC leaders sue to remove rebel flag from State house”. The Deseret News. Jun 24, 1994. A13.
1995 Special Olympics
The School for the Deaf and the Blind sent 10 students and 2 teachers to the 1995 Special Olympics. The families and athletes were excited about the opportunities they received and the friendships that were made. The Olympics provided a great place for the students to learn.
Carroll, Chuck. “Special Olympics team include upstate youth”. Herald-Journal. Jan 26,1995. B1. Miss SC Pageant adorns the upstate
The Miss South Carolina Scholarship Pageant was held in the Greenville Memorial Auditorium from 1959 until 1995. In 1995 the auditorium was torn down while 1996 pageant was in the works. The Pageant director had to quickly search for a new venue to hold the event. Many different cities were considered including Myrtle Beach and Columbia. But the Final decision was made and the Pageant was held at the Spartanburg Memorial Center. Upstate residence were grateful to find that the Pageant hadn’t left the Upstate. 1996 would be the first time the pageant wasn’t held in Greenville since 1959.
Associated Press. “Upstate arena construction may prompt pageant to leave Greenville”. Heral-Journal. Feb 12, 1995. B3. Hurricane
GAFFNEY- March 1995, Hurricane Hugo II hit the upstate. Homes were left in ruin, and local churches had to be used as shelters. Bill Greene, 11, was treated for a broken arm and his sister, Agnes, had a bloody nose and head injury. The hurricane hit the SC coast and caused tornados to reak havoc on the upstate. Luckily no one was actually hurt. The whole incident was a mock storm, a practice test, for the Red Cross. Many of the Red Crosses workers had not experienced any natural tragedies so they put on a staged Hurricane and tornados to practice. Families hid in houses and rescuers patrolled streets to look for survivors. Local residence participated by staying in a shelter put up in a local church. No detail was overlooked, the Red Cross did not want to skip anything, and they treated the whole situation like a real natural disaster. This provided them with valuable experience and better preparation for a real event.
Brooke, Heather. “Mock tornado hits Upstate; drill helps Red Cross practice”. Herald-Journal. Mar 12, 1995. B1, B2. Riding to School
Before 1995 upstate school children were most likely riding the same buses that their parents had ridden as kids. Some of the buses were from 1978 and had over 200,000 miles on them. There were no major break downs or accidents but new buses were a necessity. Luckily throughout 1995, 200 new school buses were delivered to replace the old ones. The new buses came with a sigh of relief. The new buses came with new features including more emergency exits, flat nose, for greater visibility, baking up alarms, and strobe warning lights to alert other vehicles.
Conley, Linda. “New school buses will trickle into the Upstate districts”. Herald-Journal. Mar 31, 1995. C3. Upstate is now 864
South Carolina was a growing area, especially in the upstate. In as of December 3rd, 1995 the upstate got its own area code. The increasing number of fax, phone, and computer networks was cause for this addition. All calls from outside of the new area or two the outside world would change forever more. After the new area code went into effect plans were already in the works to add another. SC was just growing so fast that one area code was not sufficient. In 1998 SC became split into 3 area codes when the coast was made an 843 number.
“Upstate South Carolina is now 864”. Herald-Journal. Apr 11, 1996. A5
1991
S.C. Boost in World Trade
The Cold War seems to be thawing for the Port of Charleston and therefore the State of South Carolina. A profitable boost in international trade will be the result.
Because of its geographical position and salubrious climate, the Charleston area logically is home for major Navy and Air Force bases. This good fortune also has required military security measures.
The Bush administration announced a week ago that ships from recently freed countries of Eastern Europe once again will be welcome.
This is a boon for the Holy City, of course, but likewise one of much economic significance in the Upstate. In truth, much of the commerce that passes through state ports at Charleston, Georgetown and Port Royal is generated from industries in the upper-tier corridor stretching along the northern border of South Carolina.
The flags of Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania soon will be seen on vessels sailing into and out of the state’s major port and 11 ports with a large Navy presence in other states.
Indeed, the Charleston newspaper reported that ships from the emerging democracies of Eastern Europe had sought permission to enter the harbor but were barred by the U.S. Coast Guard. The maritime ban sill applies to Russia, Cuba and seven other nations. If the barriers of the Cold War keep falling, beneficial trade relations will develop with others, too.
One of the vessels turned away from Charleston belonged to the Polish Ocean Lines, which the News and Courier says is one of the world’s major carriers. It recently began service through the port of Savannah. Soon, presumably, the firm will have the opportunity to use its port of choice.
The Palmetto State’s two U.S. senators apparently were instrumental in the White House’s decision. This change in federal policy will be of much benefit to foreign countries, but its economic returns will get right down to the local level in the Upstate, as well.
Source
Associated Press Writer. (1991, May 14). S.C. Boost in World Trade. Herald-Journal , pp. A-8.
High Radon Levels Found in Wells
Clemson University researchers say high concentrations of radon gas have been found in wells across South Carolina, and the levels exceed safe limits expected to be proposed this week.
Department of Health and Environmental Control officials have tested public water supply wells statewide for radon. Another 100 wells will be sampled in the next two months. University graduate students have tested 120 private wells in the Upstate.
Some of the tests have turned up concentrations far above the level that federal Environmental Protection Agency is expected to propose on public water supplies nationwide, sad Matt Haapala, a radiological engineer at Clemson.
The EPA has recommended safe air radon levels to be 4 picocuries per liter of air. Higher levels are thought to contribute significantly to the development of lung cancer.
Source
Associated Writers Press. (1991, June 14). High Radon Levels Found in Wells. The Morning Star , pp. 8-B.
19 Students Injured in 2 School Bus Crashes
A total of 19 children received minor injuries in two separate school bus accidents in the Upstate on Tuesday.
A Cherokee County school bus carrying 15 students flipped on its side while trying to make a left turn on Round Tree Road Tuesday afternoon. Thirteen students were taken to Upstate Carolina Medical Center. Hospital spokeswoman Nancy Atkins said she expected all thirteen to be treated and released by Tuesday night.
Six students from Whitlock Junior High School were treated and released from Spartanburg Regional Medical Center after a car driven by a 77-year-old woman rammed the back of a school bus when it stopped to unload.
The bus, which was carrying 21 students at the time, had stopped at the corner of Archer and Cordova roads about 3:30 p.m. to unload a student when it was struck by a 1987 Oldsmobile driven by Margaret Pearson of Greer, said S.C. Highway Patrol Trooper R.F. Dye.
Ms. Pearson and a passenger in her car, Gertie Watt,75, of Spartanburg, also were treated and released from Spartanburg Regional.
Source
Stahl, M., & Grant, T. (1991, September 24). 19 Students Injured in 2 School Bus Crashes. Herald-Journal , pp. A-1.
Fuel Leaking to Creeks in Upstate S.C.
A leak in an oil pipeline has caused more than 400,000 gallons of fuel to be dumped into creeks feeding the Enoree River in the Upstate, officials said Friday.
Thom Berry, spokesman for the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, said a 36-inch line from Colonial Pipeline Co. in Spartanburg broke Thursday night. The Lind carried number two fuel oil that is used as diesel and home heating fuel.
“Our main concern is the drinking water supply,” Berry said. “There are two towns that use water from the Enroee River that are close by – Clinton and Whitmire. Those towns have been notified and they are making arrangements for alternative sources of drinking water.”
Workers from DHEC and Colonial were working to contain the fuel oil Friday. Colonial has called in crews from North Carolina and Georgia to help in the efforts, Berry said.
The cause of the spill has not been determined, Berry said. But he said it could be weeks before all the oil is removed from the water and any contamination cleaned up along the shorelines. “We just want to make sure it is done right,” he said.
The pipeline is one of two that carries petroleum products from Texas to New York. The other line is a 40-inch pipeline that carries gasoline. “That line is secure,” Berry said.
Source
The Associated Press. (1991, December 21). Fuel Leaking to Creeks in Upstate S.C. The Times-News , p. 5.
1992
BMW – Might Come to the Upstate
Anderson County is competing with Nebraska and two other states for a billion-dollar BMW automobile assembly plant, a newspaper reported today.
The Greenville News is quoting unidentified sources as saying a decision is due soon and the Anderson County and Nebraska are the front runners among four states. The sources declined to identify the other two states.
Protests over one potential site at Clemson University’s Simpson Agricultural Station threaten to discourage or complicate a possible Anderson County site selection, the newspaper’s sources said.
The newspaper said the plant would bring a minimum of 1,000 to 3,000 relatively high-wage jobs. Eventually, direct and indirect employment from the plant could generate up to 17,000 jobs in support and service industries and facilities located nearby to serve it.
Source
The Associated Press. (1992, February 5). BMW Plant Might Come to Upstate. The Times-News , p. 5B.
Mutant Tuberculosis Strain Prompts Fears
A mutant tuberculosis strain creeping across the nation has health officials concerned, including those in the Upstate, where the traditional TB strain appears to be on the increase.
Average TB cases are cured in about nine months, but the mutant form of TB, called “multi-drug tuberculosis,” is stronger and does not respond to the usual methods, health officials say.
Spartanburg County is now at a five-year high for tuberculosis cases, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. The county recorded 26 TB cases in January, 31 in February, and 31 in March. The county had a total of 19 tuberculosis cases in 1987. Health officials said the numbers are cause for concern, but not panic.
Health care workers are carefully monitoring TB trends because of the new, irregular strain. “What we have are some people that could become infected by not just tuberculosis, but a resistant strain of the disease,” said Dr. Arnold Denler with the Appalachia III Health District.
Denler attributes the newer form of TB to patients who did not complete their treatments. “A major reason a patient becomes resistant is because they fail to take their medication as instructed. If they take it as outlined there would be no problem,” he said.
Source
NYT Regional Newspapers. (1992, May 28). Mutant Tuberculosis Strain Prompts Fears. The Times-News , pp. 10-A.
BMW To Make Plant Plans Official
The eyes of the world are on Spartanburg County today as BMW reveals its long-awaited plans to build cars in South Carolina.
Top executives of the German luxury car manufacturer, who began arriving in the Upstate Monday, will hold a news conference at the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport at 7:30 a.m. As a part of that event, BMW Chairman Eberhard von Kuenheim will discuss the company’s plans via video from his office in Munich. Kuenheim is staying in Germany to address European reporters one-half hours later. At 12:30 p.m. Gov. Carroll Campbell will brief reporters on his two-year courtship with BMW.
Among the BMW officials who will appear at the news conference are Karl Gerlinger, president of BMW of North America; Bernd Pischetsrieder, the company’s top manufacturing manager in Germany; and Helmut Panke, director of corporate planning for the BMW group.
Source
NYT Regional Newspapers. (1992, June 23). BMW To Make Plant Plans Official. The Times-News , pp. 1-A.
S.C. Baby Boom Could Cost Schools
South Carolina officials estimate taxpayers will have to boost education spending by as much as $700 million before 2000 to accommodate baby boomers and those migrating to the state.
Local school districts still may have to raise more through property taxes to pay for additional classrooms. “The state has got to face up to some hard choices,” said William Gillespie, chief economist for the state Board of Economic Advisers, which presented the estimates to the State Budget and Control Board.
Much of the enrollment growth will be brought by an increase in the number of children born in South Carolina. Beginning in 1986, the state birth rate began climbing. By 1990, it equaled the number of children born during the last years of the post World War II baby boom – more than 58,000. In addition, an extra 2,500 new public school students move into South Carolina each year.
By 1994, the state Department of Education will present a comprehension statewide plan for school construction and maintenance. But a building program must proceed carefully. As quickly as it appeared, the baby boom of the 90’s could vanish.
Source
The Associated Press. (1992, November 16). SC Baby Boom Could Cost Schools. The
Item , pp. 1-A.
McGee
COLUMBIAuIt's killing me to write this column, because I have to spend the next 550 words saying some nice things about Mike McGee.
As director of athletics here at South Carolina since 1993, McGee is perhaps the most successful leader this program has ever seen. During the last decade he has lifted the competitive level of USC sports and the spirits of Gamecock fans everywhere.
Not only did he hire Lou Holtz to resurrect the school's flagging football program, he brought Ray Tanner in to do the same thing for baseball and keeps improving the basketball fortunes as well.
Further proof of that success story could be seen here Friday night in the new Carolina Center as the basketball largest crowd in the history of the state (17,712) watched the South Carolina women's team beat Clemson, 72-58.
In a word, the place is beautiful. After more than three decades in the old coliseum, the Gamecock basketball teams will now play in this new $64 million facility that has winner written all over it.
A state-of-the-art facility anchoring the west side of campus and nestled next to the city's expanding restaurant region known as the Vista, this 18,000-seat basketball arena is more than just a building, it's a statement.
COY AND SNIDE
But the man behind all this is not exactly beloved, except by himself and those who don't really know him.
Since recommending himself for the job, he has earned a reputation as one who manages by intimidation and views the rest of the world with a rather arrogant, condescending attitude.
I have often considered him to have dual personalities, one is coy and the other is snide. So it's safe to say we're not close.
That said, it's hard to argue with his accomplishments since taking over an athletic department that was in shambles before his arrival.
Even though his lowest moment may have been when former Georgia Tech coach and USC alum Bobby Cremins did an abrupt about face about coming here as coach of the Gamecocks, McGee rebounded artfully and brought in Eddie Fogler, a man he would later fire.
He also hired Brad Scott away from Florida State, only to fire him when the Gamecocks didn't progress to his satisfaction. Thus he is known for his highs as well as his lows.
Those who aim high, however, often have spectacular falls. But at least they have the guts to go for it.
CROWN JEWEL
On opening night, this large crowd got a good look at this new monument McGee has built and they had to be completely impressed.
This arena is open and airy with wide public spaces that highlight past glories in Gamecock history. With its double-deck design, multimillion-dollar scoreboard and video screens, luxury suites and all the latest accouterments, it is rightly being dubbed as the Crown Jewel of the Midlands.
It will not only allow the school to sell more season tickets, it will attract better players which will put even more people in the seats.
At least that's the plan.
McGee, despite his imperfections, is a good businessman who is not afraid to dream big. And if he figures out how to fill this monstrous building with fans on a regular basis, he'll probably erect a statue of himself and find a way to have the place named for him.
SOURCE
"New arena a monument to McGee." Post and Courier [Charleston, SC] 23 Nov. 2002: C1. Custom Newspapers (InfoTrac-Gale). Web. 26 Apr. 2010.
MAN ARRESTED IN SOUTH CAROLINA
A state appeals court today ruled that a South Carolina man sentenced in 1994 to life in prison for murdering an equipment salesman in Madison can further appeal his conviction.
James F. Karls, 51, was convicted in connection with hiring someone to kill Randall Walsh on June 7, 1991, in a dispute Karls had with Walsh over an airplane and money Karls believed Walsh owed him.
Karls was arrested in South Carolina in November 1991 and extradited to Wisconsin. After being bound over for trial, he posted cash and property bail of $225,000 and fled to Costa Rica. He was later extradited to Wisconsin and was convicted of being a party to first-degree intentional homicide.
Karls fired three court-appointed and one private attorney appealing his extradition from Costa Rica and homicide conviction. Although Karls never waived his right to an appeals attorney, he ended up representing himself at least once in post-conviction hearings held in 1998.
``I have never waived that right to an attorney, and I never had an open court hearing to evaluate if I can do law, and I got an eighth-grade education. I know I can't do law,'' he said later.
The Court of Appeals ruled that the trial court did not conduct the proper questioning of Karls to determine if he was dismissing his attorneys in order to delay proceedings against him.
The appeals court also admits it erred when it allowed one of Karls' attorneys to withdraw from the case and then denied Karls' motion to appoint a replacement without determining whether Karls' constitutional rights to counsel were met.
The appeals court requests the state Public Defenders Office to appoint a fifth appeals attorney for Karls and file further postconviction motions by Aug. 1.
SOURCE
Murphy, Kevin. "MORE APPEALS OK'D IN AREA MURDER CASE." Capital Times [Madison, WI] 25 Mar. 1999: 8A. Custom Newspapers (InfoTrac-Gale). Web. 26 Apr. 2010.
1993
Grants for Educations
COLUMBIA- In an effort to increase the math and science program in upstate public schools, South Carolina received a $9.7 million grant from the National Science Foundation. This grant will be put toward linking public schools to state universities and technical schools. Public schools will have connections to lab equipment that would normally not be attainable by public schools. The program developed from the grant will set up 13 regional centers all across the state. Each center will be set up for the needs of the area and will have a mathematics and science advisory board, a committee of teachers, and university leaders that will oversee the centers. Each center will have teachers in math and science to be elected as experts to help out students and to train other teachers in the area.
Associated press. “SC gets $9.7 million grant for education”. Herald-Journal. May 16,1993. B1.
Lost Pet
GAFFNEY- 911 was called after some local residence of Cherokee County witnessed a 6-foot long alligator. The likely former pet now resides in a small pond on a farm. The SC Wildlife and Marine Resources Department kept tabs on the alligator from the time it was discovered. The alligator was checked on periodically and was eventually sent to Santee Cooper.
“6-foot alligator settles in pond”. Star News. May 30,1993. 3B
Hay! It is hot out here
The heat wave in the summer of 1993 brought many troubles to the upstate and the drought just added insult to injury. The extensive heat and drought left fields brown and killed the food source for local cattle ranches. With no grass to feed on the ranchers turned to hay to feed the cattle. However when the huge demand for hay outweighed the supply, the upstate had to look elsewhere. Dick Spears Hay Co. of Manchester Tenn. Generously supplied the Greenville Farmers market with 600 bales of hay. The hay was sold at $160 a ton, $50 more than normal, because of travel costs. This delivery helped but was just a drop of water in a dry lake bed. The drought also effected farmer’s feed cord production. All of this turned 1993 to be a hard summer for ranchers.
Associated Press. “Hay being Rushed to SC Farmers”. Herald-Journal. Jul 28,1993. A12
Drive-thru cash
GREER- On September 13th a NC man visited the upstate with malicious intentions. Lonie William Crisp, 37, robbed banks in Greer and Grenville. Police say that he was violating his patrol at the time. Crisp’s method is peculiar however. With the spirit of America he did not run into the bank and yell “This is a stick up!” Crisp wrote that on a note and passed it through the drive-thru. As if America isn’t lazy enough. The robber informed the teller that no one would be hurt if his demands were met. The man was arrested 4 days later when Crisp tried to used a “marked bill.”
Wood, Mark. “Man arrested for robbing 2 upstate banks from car”. Herald-Journal. Sep 22, 1993. B1.
1994
Dark and Cold
Feb 11th was a cold day of rain that just got colder as night fell. The ice throughout the day and night began to build up on trees and power lines. The morning of Feb 12th Upstate residence woke up to a cold and dark morning. Some 80,000 homes lost power when the upstate was covered in immense ice. Ice on the power lines and falling trees caused power lines to fail in many places. Power was not the only thing to suffer either. Student were forced to stay home when roads seemed to icy to drive. Some braved the weather, luckily there were not any major accidents or fatalities but there were numerous minor accidents across the upstate.
Associated Press. “Thousands without power”. The Times News. Feb 12, 1994. 14A.
The Church is Calling
Pastor Roger Sowder took a different approach to church planting. Before he even had his first church service the pastor was trying to build his congregation. He got some volunteers together and made almost 12,000 phone calls. He believed that if businesses could use telemarketing then why not the church. His philosophy was to make the church body then bring them together. Though this approach seemed strange he received and interest of about 600 people, a pretty good start for a new church. Now the Foothills community Church is still going strong.
Dean, Suellen. “Pastor targeting unchurched”. Herald-Journal. Feb 20, 1994. A1.
Rock Climbing gets to new Heights
1994 marked a time in upstate history when people started to venture out into the mountains and found that the, once thought extreme, sport of rock climbing was conquerable. Make no mistake rock climbing can be an intense physical am mental challenge, but not all rock faces are so challenging. With the development of the Upstate Climbing club many average people were seeking out the thrill of the climb and visiting some of the best spots SC’s wilderness has to offer. The city of Greenville began to sponsor indoor climbing gyms and six-lesson courses that were open to the public. Membership to the gym was $15 a year with a $2 a visit fee. Non members could pay $4 a visit fee to climb whenever they wanted.
Schultz, Steven. “Rock climbers take sport to new heights”. Herald-Journal. May 29, 1994. 11.
The Rebel Flag becomes a Problem
Hairs begin to raise as the attention of all of SC began to focus on the capital building in Columbia SC. The rebel flag atop the capital building marks as a reminder of past soldiers who served SC in the civil war. Now the symbol stands for racial segregations and the people of the upstate call for a change. This issues began in 1994 and wouldn’t be resolved until 200.
Associated Press. “SC leaders sue to remove rebel flag from State house”. The Deseret News. Jun 24, 1994. A13.
1995
Special Olympics
The School for the Deaf and the Blind sent 10 students and 2 teachers to the 1995 Special Olympics. The families and athletes were excited about the opportunities they received and the friendships that were made. The Olympics provided a great place for the students to learn.
Carroll, Chuck. “Special Olympics team include upstate youth”. Herald-Journal. Jan 26,1995. B1.
Miss SC Pageant adorns the upstate
The Miss South Carolina Scholarship Pageant was held in the Greenville Memorial Auditorium from 1959 until 1995. In 1995 the auditorium was torn down while 1996 pageant was in the works. The Pageant director had to quickly search for a new venue to hold the event. Many different cities were considered including Myrtle Beach and Columbia. But the Final decision was made and the Pageant was held at the Spartanburg Memorial Center. Upstate residence were grateful to find that the Pageant hadn’t left the Upstate. 1996 would be the first time the pageant wasn’t held in Greenville since 1959.
Associated Press. “Upstate arena construction may prompt pageant to leave Greenville”. Heral-Journal. Feb 12, 1995. B3.
Hurricane
GAFFNEY- March 1995, Hurricane Hugo II hit the upstate. Homes were left in ruin, and local churches had to be used as shelters. Bill Greene, 11, was treated for a broken arm and his sister, Agnes, had a bloody nose and head injury. The hurricane hit the SC coast and caused tornados to reak havoc on the upstate. Luckily no one was actually hurt. The whole incident was a mock storm, a practice test, for the Red Cross. Many of the Red Crosses workers had not experienced any natural tragedies so they put on a staged Hurricane and tornados to practice. Families hid in houses and rescuers patrolled streets to look for survivors. Local residence participated by staying in a shelter put up in a local church. No detail was overlooked, the Red Cross did not want to skip anything, and they treated the whole situation like a real natural disaster. This provided them with valuable experience and better preparation for a real event.
Brooke, Heather. “Mock tornado hits Upstate; drill helps Red Cross practice”. Herald-Journal. Mar 12, 1995. B1, B2.
Riding to School
Before 1995 upstate school children were most likely riding the same buses that their parents had ridden as kids. Some of the buses were from 1978 and had over 200,000 miles on them. There were no major break downs or accidents but new buses were a necessity. Luckily throughout 1995, 200 new school buses were delivered to replace the old ones. The new buses came with a sigh of relief. The new buses came with new features including more emergency exits, flat nose, for greater visibility, baking up alarms, and strobe warning lights to alert other vehicles.
Conley, Linda. “New school buses will trickle into the Upstate districts”. Herald-Journal. Mar 31, 1995. C3.
Upstate is now 864
South Carolina was a growing area, especially in the upstate. In as of December 3rd, 1995 the upstate got its own area code. The increasing number of fax, phone, and computer networks was cause for this addition. All calls from outside of the new area or two the outside world would change forever more. After the new area code went into effect plans were already in the works to add another. SC was just growing so fast that one area code was not sufficient. In 1998 SC became split into 3 area codes when the coast was made an 843 number.
“Upstate South Carolina is now 864”. Herald-Journal. Apr 11, 1996. A5